Heating system.



R. N. TRANE.

HEA'HNG SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.4.1916.

1,252,96., Patented Jan. 8,1918.

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22s 26 14 26 P: 22 J i 21 H L I L "6' F m rgs/l A FOR/V578 R. N. TRANE.

HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED Aus.4. 191s.

WITNESSES I A TTOR/VEYS R. N TRANE.

HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.4.191s.

1,252,967. r I Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- 4 TTOR/VEYS TED ATENT REUBEN N. TRANE, OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 TRANE COMPANY, OF

LA CROSSE, \VISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

HEATING SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, REUBEN N. TRANE, a citizen of the United'States, and a resident of La Crosse, in the county of La Crosse and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and Improved Heating System, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact desure so that the water will flow back to the boiler by gravity and operates by steam pressure for forcing the return water into the boiler when the steam pressure has reached predetermined pressure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a regulator operated by the steam pressure for regulating the dampers and thereby controlling the draft for maintaining a certaineven pressure of steam.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a diagram showing a heating system of pipes including a disclosure of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing one position of the draft regulating mechanism.

Fi 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the new position of the parts when a certain pressure has been generated in the boiler.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but show ing the position of the parts when a comarativelv high pressure has been generated in the boiler.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal vertica] section through a differential receiver embodying certain features of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a detail fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 5 on line 66.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a furnace of any suitable kind having a boiler of any desired construction, to the top of which is connected a pipe 2 which supplies steam to one or more radiators 3. The return water from the steam main is allowed to pass downwardly therefrom into the return pipes 4 and 5, as desired, and from thence into the Serial No. 113,085.

boiler through the pipe 6. The return pipe 27 conveys air and water from the radiators and the air passes through the vent 26 and the water passes to pipe 4. The pipes 4 and 5 are connected topipe 7 through check valves 8 and 9. Pipe 7 is connected with the differential receiver 10, which differential receiver is connected to the live Steam through pipes 11, 12 and 13. Pipe 2 in addition to supplying steam to the pipe 13 supplies live steam to the flexible pipe or hose 14 connected with one of the containers or receptacles of the differential regulator 15, which regulator is connected by a suitable connecting member 16 to the chain 17 Chain 17 passes over a suitable guiding member and is connected to the flue damper 18 and also to the draft damper 19 at the front, the connection being, for instance, that shown in Fig. 1 when a high pressure of steam has been generated. As the differential regulator 15 swings back and forth these dampers will be opened and closed'in proportion to the swinging movement of the regulator and thereby produce a proper draft in the furnace.

in Figs. 2 to 4:, inclusive, will be seen the detail construction and operation of the differential regulator 15, whereby it will be evident that even the slightest change in the steam pressure will cause a proportionate action on the dampers l8 and 19. The construction is such that an extremely sensitive action is produced without complicated mechanism. In Fig. 2 the parts are shown with the front damper wide open and the rear damper closed. Fig. 3 shows the parts in position when a small pressure has been generated, while in Fig. 4 the parts are shown in the position assumed when an appreciable pressure has been produced and ample steam pressure has been generated for the purposes desired. In producing the results mentioned the steam pipe 12 or other suitablesupport could be used for supporting a pivot or supporting member 20 designed to engage the roughened surface or toothed edge 21 on the connecting bar 22 which connects the containers 23 andfiZt. In this way the containers may be evenly balanced, or, if desired, one side may be 0&- set so as to compensatefor the weight of chain 17 and other parts or to cause a more decided action under some circumstances, as for instance, when it is desired to use a Patented Jan. 8, 31918. I

greater pressure of steam than ordinarily. The flexible hose or pipe l5 can be used or other connecting means may be .used provided the steam may freely pass from pipe 12 to the container-23 regardless of the position of the container 2-4. If desired, weight 22 may be used as a further adjustment in case it is not desirable to change the location of the supporting pivot 20.

When the fire is first started the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the container 24 completely filled with water and also the connecting pipe 25. As the steam begins to be generated the same will enter through the flexible pipe 14 into. container 24 and force some of the water therefrom so that when practically half of the water has been forced'therefrom the parts will assume the position shown in Fig. 3.- As the pressure of the steam increases more and more water will be forced from the container 24 into the container 23 until the container 23 is completely filled as shown in Fig. 4. As the water flows into the container 23 the air passes out from valve 26, which valve is preferably made so as to let the air freely escape but to prevent steam or water from escaping, such form of valve be ing of any well known type now in use. It will be observed that the amount of Water forced from one container to the other is in proportion to the pressure of the steam and the movement of the water responds instantly to any change of pressure, whereby a very sensitive though strongand simple structure is produced for moving the dampers.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be observed that mechanism has been provided in the casing 27 of the difierential receiver 10 which will permit a return of the Water in the system to the boiler by gravity and force such return in case of comparatively high steam pressure. The return pipe 4 is connected with the check valve 8 which in turn is connected with pipe 7 said pipe being supplied With a check valve 9' discharging into the heater or return pipe to the boiler 6. The check valves 8 and 9' operate in the same direction whereby water from pipe 4 may freely flow under the action of gravity back to the boiler. However, in case pressure in the boiler becomes greater than the pressure of the return water, said return water will pass upwardly through the pipe 28 into the casing 27 and will gradually elevate the float 29. Float 29 is slidingly mounted upon a rod 30, which rod is provided with an adjustable stop 31 and guided by a spider 32 whereby the float may move directly up and down according to the.

height of the water. When the float '29 moves to the dotted position shown in Fig- 5 and water is moved upwardly to approximately line 33, the upper end of the float will strike against the pivotally mounted plate 34 to which rod 30 is loosely connected by a loop 35 passing around a bar 36.

The plate 34 is provided with lateral extensions 37 and 38 which extend into the uprights 39 on the plate 40. Plate 40 is also provided with combined journal posts and guides 41 and 42 which accommodate the extensions 43 and 44 in suitable apertures, said extensions being projections from the lever 45. Each of the journal posts and guides 41 and 42 is provided with a cutaway portion 46 whereby shoulders or stops 47 and 48 are produced, said stops being engaged by the extensions 49 and 50 formed on the free-end of the plate 34. Springs 51 and 52 are connected to the extensions 49 and 50 and also to extensions 53 and 54 on lever 45, as shown more particularly in Fig. 6. By this construction and arrangement whenever the float 29' moves plate 34 upwardly such a distance as to move the springs past the dead center between the pivotal mounting of plate 34 land lever 45, the springs will produce a-further quick movement so that the parts will assume the dotted position shown in Fig. 5. Whenjthe weight of the float 29'moves plate 34 in the opposite directionto a point slightly past dead center, the springs 51 and, 52 will act lines in Fig. 5. This action is desirableso as to quickly open and quickly close thef valve member 55 and also the air valve56. Valve 55 has spaced stops 57 and 58 connected to the stem 59, the part of the stem between said stops passing through a slot 60 in the lever 45. Valve 56 is provided with a stop 61 and a stem 62 connecting'said stop with the body of thevalve, said stem extending through slot 60. Valve 56 is arranged to engage or be removed from its, seat 63 by the back and forth movement of lever 45. It will be observed that the lever 45 positively holds the valve 55 closed while valve 56 is open and will positively hold valve 56 closed while valve 55 is open. Valve 55 controls the supply of steam from the pipe 64 while valve 56 contiolsthe air vent 65 whereby air may enter freely or is prevented from entering, as the case may be.

When water is raised to the line 33 in the casing 27 by reason of the high pressure in the boiler preventingthe valve 9' from operating, the plate 34 and associated parts, including the valves, will be shiftedv to the dotted position whereupon no air can enter into the casing 27 and live steam from the pipe 64 may freely enter and by reason of the pressure of said steam and the weight of the water the water in the casing 27 Will be forced through the check valve 9 and from thence into the boiler. After the steam has forced the water down to the line 66 the float 27 will pull plate 34 downwardly until it is causedto assume the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5, whereupon the steam is shut off and the air vent 65 is opened. This will allow the return water to enter the easing 27 by gravity preparatory to a repetition of the actions just described. The water is thus alternatelv allowed to enter the casing 27 and is forced therefrom during the use of high pressure. lVhen a low pressure is used the water will flow in the usual manner by gravity through both of the check valves. This construction and arrangement will allow the use of high or low pressure at any time according to the demand for steam without in any way interfering with the eventual return of the water. In ar ranging the pipe 7 the same may be as shown in Fig. 5 or may be connected up with casing 27 at 28, the plug normally closing the same being removed and placed in the fitting below casing 27 unless an elbow is substituted.

What I claim is;

1. In a heating system of the character described, the combination with a furnace and boiler, of heating pipes extending from the boiler including a return water pipe, and

a differential receiver connected ,to said pipes, the upper part being connected to the part of the pipe having live steam and at the lower part of the return water pipe, said receiver being provided with a casing or container in communication with said return pipe, a check valve in said return pipe on each side of the container so that water may flow freely into the container and therefrom toward the boiler and not in the opposite direction, a valve for normally shutting oil the live steam from said container, a lever for operating the valve, a pivoted member, a spring connection between the lever and member, and a float connected with said member, whereby when the water in the container moves upwardly the valve will be moved upwardly a predetermined extent and the valve opened for the admission of steam which will force the water in the container into said boiler and when the container has become substantially empty the weight of the float will cause said valve to close.

2. In a heating system of the character described, a differential receiver connected to the return pipe of the heating system, said receiver comprising a casing, a steam inlet valve and an air valve arranged at the upper part of the casing, a single operating lever for operating said valves, said lever opening one valve and closing the other, a pivoted member, a spring connection between the lever and member, and a float arranged in the receiver and connected with said member, whereby the said valves will be opened and closed according to the height of water in the casing.

" 3. A diflerential receiver for the return pipe of heating systems, comprising a casing, an air valve and a steam inlet valve arranged at the top of said casing, a lever for opening and closing said valves, a pivotally mounted plate, springs connecting said plate and said lever so that when said plate moves to a predetermined position said springs will complete the movement of the plate and will move said lever for opening or closing said valves according to the direction of movement of the plate, a loosely connected member depending from said plate, said member having a stop adjacent the lower end, and a float coacting with said member and adapted to engage said stop when the water in said casing has moved down a predetermined distance whereby the weight of the float will cause said member to pull said plate and thereby shift the position of said valves and when said casing is supplied with water to a predetermined extent the float will move upwardly and move said plate in an opposite direction so as to shift the position of said valves to a different position and thereby admit steam which will force the water from said casing.

at. A differential receiver for the return pipe of steam heating systems, comprising a, casing for receiving the return water when the'steam pressure in the system is too great for allowing the water to return by gravity, a float arranged in the casing adapted to be moved upwardly as the water enters the easing, a steam inlet valve arranged at the top of the casing, an air valve arranged at the top of the casing, a pivotally mounted member for opening one of said valves while closing the other, and a second pivotally mounted member with which the float engages, said second member being connected with the first pivotally mounted member so that when said float moves to its highest position the same will cause the air valve to be closed and the steam valve to be opened and when moved to its lowest position will cause the steam valve to be closed and the air valve to be opened.

5. A differential receiver for the return pipes of steam heating systems, comprising a casing for receiving the water from said return pipes when the pressure in the steam is greater than the pressure in the returning water, a steam valve and an air valve arranged at the top of the casing, a single pivotally mounted lever loosely connected to both of said valves, said valves operating in opposite directions whereby when one valve is closed the other will be opened, a spring connected with said lever, a pivotally mounted plate" connected to the opposite end of said spring whereby when the point of the plate where the spring is connected has moved past said lever the lever will be automatically and quickly moved to an opposite po-= sition so as to shift said valve, and means the plate will cause the plate to be moved operated by the Water in said casing for in an opposite position and said valves reactuating said plate so that the steam valve versed, whereby the steam in said casing will 10 will be opened and the air valve closed when be exhausted through said air valve, thus 5 the Water in the casing has reached a predepermitting the return Water to enter the iermined extent whereby the live steam will casing under the action of gravity. eject the Water and the means for operating REUBEN N. TRANE. 

